"Some models are keen on the idea of snow, with cold air and the wind and rain we think there is a risk of snow in Scotland and parts of northern England and Wales, there is a chance this could reach to lower levels on Sunday.

"Beyond the weekend it looks as though it will remain unsettled for several days with the risk of some snow."

Scotland and northern England will be in the firing line for the worst of the weather although wintry flurries are possible as far south as London. Bookies Coral make it odds on at 4-6 that snow falls in a major UK city before the end of the weekend.

And it is just 2-1 that this March ends as the coldest since records began.

Spokesman Harry Aitkenhead said: "We've got a spell of very cold weather on the way and it's looking like snow will fall as early as the next few days.

"It certainly isn't the beginning to spring that we had in mind - it is odds on that the white stuff comes before the weekend is out.

"We had an awful lot of rain in the first few days of March and, with the Cheltenham Festival set to begin with wet weather, this month is shaping up to be one of the wettest we've seen."